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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Can anybody defend the use of this word in the BBC news
tonight?
" Last Updated: Sunday, 1 June, 2003, 03:40 GMT 04:40 UK
Email this to a friend Printable version
Giant tree destroyed by fire
By Phil Mercer
BBC correspondent in Sydney
El Grande fell victim to a burn-off to clear undergrowth [pic courtesy of Wilderness Society]
An independent report has confirmed Australian environmentalists' claims that fire has devastated Australia's tallest tree on the island of Tasmania."
The tree was killed, but that's not news. Gotta have a word
that's more impressive. Even if absurd.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,624 |
The usage is unusual but not incorrect. I'd expect them to say "has devastated the Tasmanian forest and destroyed the tallest tree".
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
This is one of those terms, like awesome, that have been weakened by excessive hyperbole. It does seem to be holding on, as Pfranz's example shows but.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Bullshit. The tree is still standing, with no visible damage, it's just dead. If it had been extensively charred,
and had many limbs burned off, then "devastated" would not be so silly.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
it's just dead
Oh, well. If that's all then I should think that decimated should do the trick.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,624
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,624 |
Tsk, tsk, Faldo. Don't set him off, for Gawd's sake!
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
Re:The tree is still standing, with no visible damage, it's just dead.
have i missed something in the nature of trees? isn't it common for dead trees to remain upright for many years after their death (and contrary wize, some trees that fall as a result of storms, have enough root structure intact, that they don't die outright..) so a fallen tree isn't always a dead tree, and standing tree isn't always a live one..
i think too, that devastated would cover a large area (the forest was devastated,)...but.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear F&C, since words don't matter, you shouldn't mind bei;ng called shitheads.
Note: I didn't call you that, just said you shouldn't mind if somebody did.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Dr Bill!!! You eat with that same mouth!?
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